Plasma levels of cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), are positively correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Buildup of LDL in the intima promotes the formation of foam cells and consequently initiates atherosclerosis, one of the main underlying causes of cardiovascular disease. Hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) is mainly responsible for the clearance of plasma LDL. Mutations in LDLR cause familiar hypercholesterolemia and increase the risk of premature coronary heart disease. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) promotes LDLR degradation and thereby plays a critical role in the regulation of plasma cholesterol metabolism. PCSK9 can bind to LDLR and reroute the receptor to lysosomes for degradation, increasing both circulating LDL-C levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease. PCSK9 is mainly regulated by sterol response element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, many proteins have been identified as interacting with PCSK9, regulating plasma cholesterol levels. Pharmacotherapeutic inhibition of PCSK9 dramatically reduces plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and significantly reduces cardiovascular events. In this article, we summarize the latest advances in PCSK9, mainly focusing on the structure, function, and regulation of the protein, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and its pharmacotherapeutic applications.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Hypercholesterolemia; Low-density lipoprotein receptor; Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9; Statin.